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Facet Joint Injection: Your Experience

The treatment is done in a hospital, surgery center, or a doctor's office. You’ll be asked to fill out some forms, including a consent form. You may also be examined.

During the procedure

You may be given medicine to help you relax. You will lie on an exam table on your stomach. During your treatment:

The skin over the injection site is cleaned. A pain medicine (local anesthetic) numbs the skin.

X-ray imaging (fluoroscopy) may be used to help the doctor see your spine. If so, a contrast “dye” may be injected into the affected area.

The injection is given. It may contain a local anesthetic to numb the region around the joint, medicine that eases inflammation (steroids), or both.

After the procedure

Most often, you can go home shortly after the procedure, generally in about an hour. Have an adult friend or relative drive you. The anesthetic wears off in a few hours. When it does, your back or neck may feel more sore than usual. This is normal. Take it easy for the rest of the day. The steroids most often begin to work in a few days. Your provider can tell you when it’s OK to go back to work.

Risks and complications

Risks and complications are rare, but can include:

Infection

Bleeding

Prolonged increase in pain

Nerve damage (very rare)

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your provider if you have any of these:

Severe headaches

Fever over 100.4°F (38°C), chills, redness or drainage at the injection site

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